clinical approach to a patient with heart disease Flashcards
what are symptoms that occur with heart disease
- chest pain
- palpitations
- syncope
- dyspnoea
- fatigue
- peripheral oedema
what cardiac diseases does central chest pain point towards
- ischaemic heart disease
- coronary artery spasm
- pericarditis/ myocarditis
- mitral valve prolapse
- aortic aneurysm/dissection
what non cardiac diseases does central chest pain point towards
- pulmonary embolism
- oesophageal disease
what pulmonary disease does lateral/peripheral chest pain point towards
- infarction
- pneumonia
- pneumothorax
- lung cancer
- mesothelia
what chest pain does angina present with
retrosternal heavy or gripping sensation with radiation to the left arm or neck that is provoked on exertion and lessened with nitrates
what type of pain is aortic dissection
severe, tearing chest pain radiating to the back
what type of chest pain is pericarditis
sharp, central chest pain that is worse with movement or respiration but relived with sitting forward
what’s orthopnea
breathlessness on lying flat
what’s paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
when a patient wakes up fighting for breath
what are palpitations
Heart palpitations are the sensation that your heart has skipped a beat or added an extra beat. It may also feel like your heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering. You may become overly aware of your heartbeat.
what are premature beats (ectopic beats)
- Felt as a pause and then a forceful beat.
- The second beat is more forceful as the heart has had a longer diastolic period and hence is filled with more blood
what are paroxysmal tachycardias
sudden racing heartbeats
what is bradycardia
slow, regular heavy or forceful beats
what is syncope
the transient loss of consciousness due to inadequate central blood flow
what is a vasovagal attack
a simple faint
what is postural (orthostatic) hypotension
a drop in systolic BP by 20mmHg or more on standing from a sitting position
what is postprandial hypotension
a drop in systolic pressure of 20mmHg or more, or the systolic pressure drops from over 100mmHg to below 90mmHg within 2 hours of eating
what is micturition syncope
loss of consciousness while passing urine
what is carotid sinus syncope
occurs when there is an exaggerated vagal response to carotid sinus stimulation, provoked by wearing a tight collar, looking upwards or turning head
what is strokes-Adams attack
- sudden loss in consciousness caused by intermittent high grade AV block, profound bradycardia or ventricular standstill.
- the patient falls to the ground with no warning and is pale and deeply unconscious
why does peripheral oedema occur in heart failure
heart failure results in salt and water retention due to renal under perfusion and consequent activation of the RAAS system –> pitting oedema
cardio - general exam
- clubbing - seen in congenital cyanotic heart disease and subacute infective endocarditis
- splinter haemorrhages - frequently due to trauma and seen in infective endocarditis
- cyanosis - occurs when the oxygen saturation is less than 85%
~ central cyanosis = right to left heart shunt
~ peripheral cyanosis = congestive heart failure, circulatory shock, abnormalities in the peripheral circulation
what should the normal pulse rate be
60-80 bpm when lying down
what are premature beats
occur as occasional or repeated irregularities superimposed on a regular pulse rhythm.
what is atrial fibrillation
- produces and irregularly irregular pulse
- the irregular pattern persists when the pulse quickens in response to exercise
what is a collapsing or water hammer pulse
large volume pulse characterised by a short duration with a brisk rise and fall